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LeBron James is set to make NBA history tonight, as he approaches an extraordinary milestone: 50,000 career points. The all-time scoring leader in both the regular season and NBA playoffs, LeBron's ascent to this moment is a testament to his unmatched skill and longevity in the league.
LeBron James: a legacy of scoring dominance
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record in the regular season, a mark that had stood for 39 years. LeBron didn't stop there as he surpassed Michael Jordan’s all-time playoff scoring record on May 25, 2017, a feat that stood for 19 years.
As of now, LeBron has accumulated 49,982 total points in both the regular season and playoffs combined, leaving him just 18 points shy of the monumental 50,000 career points milestone.
LeBron James scoring surge
LeBron enters tonight's matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers (9:30 ET, League Pass) on the cusp of making history.
Despite his age, LeBron is playing some of the best basketball of his career. In February 2025, he averaged 29.3 points per game on an impressive 55.5% shooting from the field and 44.3% from beyond the arc over 11 games.
This marks his highest scoring average for a month since January 2022 (33.8 ppg), and his most efficient shooting since March 2024 (57.1% FG, 45.5% 3P).
LeBron’s consistency is further evident, as he became the first player in NBA history to score 40 or more points multiple times at the age of 40 or older. Michael Jordan, the only other player to achieve such a feat at age 40, registered a 43-point performance on February 21, 2003.
Longevity and Consistency: keys to LeBron James success
Two key aspects of LeBron’s incredible career are his consistency and longevity. Consistency is reflected in his near-record-setting performance this season. Averaging 24.9 points per game, LeBron is on track to record his 21st consecutive season with at least 25 points per game. Only Kevin Durant, on pace for 17 such seasons, comes close.
As for longevity, LeBron’s career stands out among the league’s elite. He is one of only two players in NBA history, alongside Vince Carter, to play 22 seasons. At 40 years old, he remains an All-Star-level player, ranking 13th in scoring and 5th in assists this season.
LeBron James career and legacy
In addition to his point totals, LeBron holds several other remarkable records. He leads the NBA in total field goals made (18,282), ranks second in total free throws made (10,414), and sits fifth in total 3-pointers made, behind stars like Stephen Curry, James Harden, Ray Allen, and Klay Thompson.
As the Lakers prepare for tonight’s game, they are on a five-game winning streak and have a league-best 17-4 record since January 15, climbing to third in the Western Conference. LeBron’s efforts have been vital to their playoff push, and with 24 games left in the regular season, he’s poised to extend his career totals further, with a possible playoff run ahead.
The future: 23 seasons and beyond
The prospect of reaching 23 seasons in the NBA is already groundbreaking, as no player has ever achieved that feat. With a career full of unprecedented moments, LeBron continues to challenge the limits of what is possible in professional basketball, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
As he closes in on the 50,000-point milestone, LeBron James is poised to add yet another iconic moment to his career tonight in Los Angeles, entering the exclusive 50,000-point club.
